Pearl and Benz Micro Cartridges

Stabist · 23rd February 2004, 12:13 AM

Hi!

Some of my friends and I own couple BenzMicro Cartridges - Aces or Gliders ...

We were thinking of building up few Pearls for our systems - but - is Pearl suitable for MC cartridges? Some says it is and some says it must be "upgraded" if you want to use it as an MC preamp ...

Thanks for tips!

Nelson Pass · 23rd February 2004, 02:19 AM

What upgrade did they have in mind?

Stabist · 23rd February 2004, 09:03 AM

Here's a copy/paste - original written by mr. Panelhead and published on analogue section of this forums - of one modification of the Pearl:

"If you like the sound of the Pearl, why not add a gain stage to the input. Several others have done it with good results. The input stage of the Pearl is a great circuit to start with.
Mine is a pair of matched 2SK170BL, each sitting on a 22 ohm resistor. The pair is cascoded with a ZTX450.
Power comes off the Q5 second regulator of the Pearl. Through a 10 mH choke, 1000 ufd cap, then 700 ohm resitor to the ZTX450. The output is cap coupled with a 1 ufd stacked film and foil cap into the 47K input of the Pearl."

Panelhead · 23rd February 2004, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Stabist
Hi!

Some of my friends and I own couple BenzMicro Cartridges - Aces or Gliders ...

We were thinking of building up few Pearls for our systems - but - is Pearl suitable for MC cartridges? Some says it is and some says it must be "upgraded" if you want to use it as an MC preamp ...

Thanks for tips!

The use of the Pearl with medium output MC cartridges will be dependent on overall system gain.
In my system, the resulting gain was too low trying a Grado Statement Sonata and a Denon 103R. Audio Note UK Stepups were tried, but the bass was very flabby.
Another problem was loading, thr Grado is a very low output MI, it likes to see 47K. The Denon likes around 100 ohms.
I built the simple circuit and it is great. The transformer was great with my last two tube phono's.
The noise level is much lower coming grom the Pearl with MC pre compared to the tube and step up iron.

George

Nelson Pass · 23rd February 2004, 05:07 PM

Wayne reports that the Pearl doesn't really have adequate
gain for the Benz Micro. Additional gain does improve the
situation.

Duck-Twacy · 23rd February 2004, 06:44 PM

Benz Ace comes in 3 flavours eh, colors

Red: low 0.4 mV
clear: medium 0.8 mV
blue: high 2.5 mV

I got the clear version

Stabist · 25th February 2004, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Nelson Pass
Wayne reports that the Pearl doesn't really have adequate
gain for the Benz Micro. Additional gain does improve the
situation.

Thanks for the info!

Stabist · 25th February 2004, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Duck-Twacy
[B]Benz Ace comes in 3 flavours eh, colors

Red: low 0.4 mV
clear: medium 0.8 mV
blue: high 2.5 mV

Hmm - I knof that also Glider in "Medium version" should be around 0,8mV - but on the "datasheet" that came with mine it says it 1,0mV ... Well, even better for me

Boban · 26th February 2004, 01:12 AM

or add Lundahl LL9206 transformer. I did it last year and am more than happy with my Pearl.

Thanks
Boban

Posthorn · 26th February 2004, 02:25 AM

Sowter is also a well known source for step up and tube transformers.
Prof Leach shows some ways to solve the problem.
I would prefer Stabist sugestion or, if you like to go the next step, add the complete first stage with regulator.
If this is not a choice for you ask Wayne what's to do.

23rd February 2004, 12:13 AM	#1
Stabist diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Slovenia	Pearl and Benz Micro Cartridges Hi! Some of my friends and I own couple BenzMicro Cartridges - Aces or Gliders ... We were thinking of building up few Pearls for our systems - but - is Pearl suitable for MC cartridges? Some says it is and some says it must be "upgraded" if you want to use it as an MC preamp ... Thanks for tips!

23rd February 2004, 06:44 PM	#6
Duck-Twacy diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Holland, The Hague	Benz Ace comes in 3 flavours eh, colors Red: low 0.4 mV clear: medium 0.8 mV blue: high 2.5 mV I got the clear version __________________ Is that all there is?

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23rd February 2004, 02:19 AM	#2
Nelson Pass The one and only Join Date: Mar 2001	What upgrade did they have in mind?

23rd February 2004, 09:03 AM	#3
Stabist diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Slovenia	Here's a copy/paste - original written by mr. Panelhead and published on analogue section of this forums - of one modification of the Pearl: "If you like the sound of the Pearl, why not add a gain stage to the input. Several others have done it with good results. The input stage of the Pearl is a great circuit to start with. Mine is a pair of matched 2SK170BL, each sitting on a 22 ohm resistor. The pair is cascoded with a ZTX450. Power comes off the Q5 second regulator of the Pearl. Through a 10 mH choke, 1000 ufd cap, then 700 ohm resitor to the ZTX450. The output is cap coupled with a 1 ufd stacked film and foil cap into the 47K input of the Pearl."

23rd February 2004, 05:07 PM	#5
Nelson Pass The one and only Join Date: Mar 2001	Wayne reports that the Pearl doesn't really have adequate gain for the Benz Micro. Additional gain does improve the situation.

26th February 2004, 01:12 AM	#9
Boban diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Toronto	or add Lundahl LL9206 transformer. I did it last year and am more than happy with my Pearl. Thanks Boban

26th February 2004, 02:25 AM	#10
Posthorn diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Cologne	Sowter is also a well known source for step up and tube transformers. Prof Leach shows some ways to solve the problem. I would prefer Stabist sugestion or, if you like to go the next step, add the complete first stage with regulator. If this is not a choice for you ask Wayne what's to do.

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